Not long ago, Mohamed Diomande looked like one of Rangers’ safest selections in midfield. He brought energy, athleticism, and a sense that Rangers were finally adding legs and dynamism to the centre of the pitch. Now, as the season grinds on and standards tighten, his place is no longer guaranteed, and among the support there is a growing feeling that Diomande has slipped from important first team figure to one of the more vulnerable performers in the side.
That shift in perception is not harsh fantasy. It is being driven by form, competition, and the wider direction Rangers appear to be heading in.
AFCON omission, a warning sign for club and player
Perhaps the clearest external indicator of Diomande’s dip is his omission from the Ivory Coast squad for the Africa Cup of Nations currently underway. For any player, missing out on a major international tournament hurts, but in Diomande’s case it also reflects the reality of where his game is right now.
Ivory Coast are not short of midfield talent. Competition is fierce, and places are earned through consistency, intensity, and impact. Diomande failing to make that squad tells its own story. His performances at club level simply have not been strong enough to demand inclusion, and that disappointment will be sitting with him every time he pulls on a Rangers shirt.
For Rangers fans, it also reinforces what many have been seeing week to week, flashes of quality, but not enough dominance or authority to justify automatic selection.
Attacking influence has dried up at the wrong time
One of the biggest frustrations around Diomande’s recent run is his lack of attacking output. Rangers’ midfielders are not judged purely on neat passing or covering ground. They are expected to drive the team forward, arrive in dangerous areas, and create problems for opposition defences, particularly against low blocks at Ibrox.
That side of Diomande’s game has faded. He is not breaking lines often enough, not threatening the box, and not supplying the forward players with the quality and tempo Rangers need. When your influence in the final third drops, patience at Ibrox wears thin very quickly.
This matters even more given what is happening around him. The improvement in performances from Mikey Moore has not gone unnoticed by the support. There is also a strong desire among fans to see Lyall Cameron trusted with more minutes. Youthful energy, hunger, and urgency are always popular currencies at Rangers, especially when senior players are underperforming.
If Diomande cannot reassert himself soon, he risks being overtaken by players offering less experience but more momentum.
Midfield market movement adds pressure
Timing is everything in football, and the timing is not working in Diomande’s favour. Rangers are widely reported to be in the market for midfield reinforcements, with the January window opening in a matter of days. That alone sharpens competition and focuses minds.
Add to that the almost certain departure of Joe Rothwell, and it becomes clear that the midfield unit is in flux. When a squad is being reshaped, nobody with inconsistent form is safe. New arrivals will not be signed to sit on the bench, and the internal hierarchy can change quickly.
For Diomande, this means every appearance now feels like an audition, not a formality.
Barron and Raskin raising the bar
Selection dynamics are also shifting. Connor Barron has produced a run of performances that underline why Rangers moved early to secure him. His energy, discipline, and willingness to do the dirty work have stood out in a midfield that has often lacked control.
Alongside him sits Nicolas Raskin, a player whose recent form has not hit his own high standards, but whose reputation and technical quality remain strong. Even when Raskin is not at his best, he offers Rangers a level of composure and intelligence in possession that managers trust.
Right now, it is hard to argue that Diomande is ahead of either player. If anything, he feels like the one trying to force his way back into the conversation rather than being written into the team sheet in pen.
Where Diomande goes from here
This is not a write off. Diomande still has the physical tools and the technical base to succeed at Rangers. But this club is unforgiving when intensity drops and influence fades. The badge demands more than potential.
If he is to turn this around, it has to start with the basics Rangers fans value above all else, urgency in the press, bravery on the ball, and a visible desire to impose himself on games. The attacking contribution must improve, and quickly, because the competition is real and the window is about to open.
The warning signs are there. An AFCON omission, stronger competition internally, and a club actively reshaping its midfield. Diomande is at a crossroads. Step up now and reclaim his place, or risk being overtaken in a Rangers midfield that is evolving without sentiment.
At Ibrox, form is temporary, but standards are permanent.
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